Almost there

Time to clear the decks.  There’s only so much crawling about on the floor I can do.

With the enemy laid out on the table, it was time to beat it into submission with a few carefully placed pins and a steam iron.

The instrument tray was assembled, with new needles and sharp scissors.  A last minute change of plan replaced the orange thread on the spool with a brighter, shinier cotton perle which had a little more zing.

In no time at all, the first of 56 buttons was stitched in place.  the other 55 followed on and were all done by lunchtime.

But it didn’t seem to be enough.  I felt further work was needed to join the layers together and, though I’ve shown you the corners which look like the one above, for every one that looks like this, there is another which is more like

this.

I’d already been though the cream button collection in my stash and knew I didn’t have enough for the centre of each pieced square.  Anyway, Marianne’s wise advice about overuse of buttons was in my mind as inspiration struck.

I tied the centre of each pieced square together using the orange thread and felt pleased with the look.

What’s more, a multitude of quilting sins are concealed in those little ties.  But hey, who’s going to be looking?  This is no competition quilt for sure.

By the end of the afternoon, all is tied, the edges trimmed and tacked in place ready for binding.  I’ve taken the precaution of applying a tiny spot of fraycheck in the centre of each knot too, just in case.  All the pins are out and it’s holding together nicely.

So am I.

No excuses

The backing fabric arrived this morning and I made the binding yesterday afternoon.  I guess that’s it.

Now, where did I put that 505 adhesive?  ;-)

Dilemma

The quilt saga goes on.

 

Having got the top, the wadding, the buttons and the ribbon/thread, I now discover that I don’t have quite enough fabric for the backing.

Quite how we managed without online shopping, I don’t know, for having googled “Moda Arcadia” last night, I discovered the only remaining bit of it in the country, I believe.  I shot off an email and held my breath.

The reply came back quickly, that last piece had just been sold.

Fortunately, super-efficient Claire of The Bramble Patch returned my email plea for help almost immediately with suggestions for alternative fabrics which should blend in ok.

It looks like all excuses for not finishing that quilt are now worked out and I simply need to getonwithit.

What next?

A thirtieth anniversary requires a little more than a day out, for sure.  So, we spent a few happy days at The Peacock, in Rowsley, in the company of assorted (and eminent!) actors currently filming Jane Eyre at Haddon Hall.

The brisk – no cold – weather scuppered our plans for long walks and fresh air, and opening times – no, closing times – meant that we didn’t get to see Haddon Hall for ourselves, nor did we make it to Hardwick Hall either.  Both of those will have to wait for a follow up visit.  Our fortieth anniversary, perhaps?

We did do a calorie-free survey of Bakewell Puddings – how many claims are there to be the original?

We made it to Buxton, too, enjoying the only warm sunshine of the trip, which lasted all of half an hour!

We headed for the Opera House, for after all, we all need a little culture.

We took the fun option, though!

We made our way home yesterday, via Lichfield Cathedral.

It made a magnificent finale to a sparkling weekend.  Here’s to the next thirty years!

30 years

We can hardly believe it but thirty years ago today, I walked up the aisle wearing a huge white meringue of a dress to meet a handsome young man who was there waiting.

 

We’ve spent the day at Chatsworth, scene of one of our early days out together.  We hadn’t been there long before we were reminded of why it left such a lasting impression on us.

It wasn’t a brilliantly sunny day and neither was it as warm as Carol had predicted this morning.  In fact, it was freezing cold!  Nevertheless, we had a wonderful day exploring this magnificent estate and appreciating the small touches which make it especially welcoming  - the yellow ducks were everywhere. 

But then so was Georgiana.

I collected a few more hands and exquisitely painted fabrics

I wonder if you can guess whose hand this is?

Hmmm…not a single wedding ring, either?  He had six…

I think both of us agreed that our favourite part of the day was spent “Celebrating Deborah”

Here were family treasures, including this delightful collection of dance cards from the 1930s.

One small exhibit focused on her ability to use some of the riches to maintain this immense household, in this instance licensing Laura Ashley to adapt and create some fabric designs based on the historic prints in the house.  All the way through this exhibition, there was a spirit, a personality and a spark of humour.  I’d add Deborah Devonshire to my list of good company, I think.

The house tour ended in the sculpture gallery and the two beautifully observed lions by Canova who lay either side of the door leading, of course, to the gift shop. 

There in the shop, was a small sign:

“Sometimes on the way to a dream you stop and find a better one”

Quite appropriate for today, we thought.